Last night, my stupid ass had not taken the sleeping pills. So in total, I might have gotten a few hours of sleep if I was lucky. I remember staring at the ceiling in the spare room for what felt like forever before I finally passed out. I felt really tired and really just wanted to go back to sleep but I knew without taking the medication that it wouldn't happen. Part of me hoped Creed would still be asleep so I could get dressed and go with having to talk to him about what happened last night. He was going to need to argue about it, That was just how he was. He could just fight with me about something and not bring it up repeatedly, but it was like he didn't know-how.

Half the time I wondered if this was how he was before we met or a result of the hand that he go dealt. I would assume he was a different man then. It was had to say though, I hadn't known him then. We hadn't been great friends when we met either, though you would never know. I was going to kill the man and likewise.

I suppose that changed at some point. Now he would rather take bullets for me.

Leaving the spare room, it was barely daylight out. I figured right away there would be no chance that Creed was awake, he didn't get up before eight, unless I woke him up. But with the gunshot wound, there was always the possibility. Thank god that the kitchen was right across from the spare room.

I could basically smell the coffee already brewing. Getting to the coffee pot I realized I actually did smell the coffee brewing. Creed was awake or had been at some point. Looking over the half wall he was propped up in the corner of the couch. He really didn't look great at all, even in the dark. He was only supposed to be walking short distances, and to the couch was clearly too far for him. Heading to the living room, I walked to him and set my hand on his shoulder. He jolted and let out a groan.

"How long have you been on the couch?"

"What time is it?"

"Like six-thirty."

"Since two."

"You could have yelled for me, I would have woke and helped you."

"No. I'm fine."

"Creed, You are clearly not fine. You need your pain medication, hold on let me grab it."

Before he could argue I walked to the bedroom and grabbed all the pills that were on the night table. There were at least four different types of pain pills for him to take. Setting the bottles on the coffee table, I went and got him a glass of milk. None of those pills should be taken on an empty stomach. Reading all the bottles I gave him two out of the four pain pills and the glass of milk. He looked at the milk in his hand and then back at me.

"Coffee,"

"Later, milk first for your pills,"

He sighed but took his pills with the milk. I went and sat on the other end of the couch. I had a few hours I could sit here with him before I had to do some work. I turned the Tv on for some kind of noise, Once the pills kicked in Creed fell asleep. I laid my head on the top of the couch and watched him.

Hearing something in the kitchen smash I jumped up off the couch and nearly fell down as I got super dizzy. Once my body cooperated with me I dashed to the kitchen. I blinked a few times. I wasn't sure if I was actually seeing what I was. Creed was in my office chair rolling around the kitchen. He had dropped one of the metal drink cups on the tile floor.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you up."

Looking at the way he was powering around the kitchen I found myself laughing so hard I started to tear up.

"You better stop laughing at me Alexi, I'll run over your toes."

"I ... can't!"

He sipped the coffee in his hands and looked better than he had this morning. I just looked him over for a few more minutes before I went and got my own cup of coffee. Bringing the cup to my lips and taking a sip, it was just the way I liked it. Bitter and good.

"Good?"

"As always."

I drank my coffee sitting at the table in the kitchen. Creed just reached the top at a comfortable level. He was lucky I didn't have one of those higher tables like Maddox and Emerson had. My phone started to go off in a ringing pattern that was used when Maddox wanted us in his office immediately. It was a drop everything and just come here notification.

Grabbing my phone I tucked it into the pocket of the sweats I had on.

"Alexi, Keep me updated ok?"

"Yeah of course."

I raced out of my wing to Maddox's office. I made it just as Jackson did too. Maddox was sitting behind his desk, a look of annoyance on his face.

"How's the wound, Alexi?"

"Well enough."

"Good, I need Jackson, Cade and you to suit up. Vests are not optional boys, You are going to get what belongs to us. Alexi, Watch your wound plain and simple."

"Got it."

"Go get suited up and I'll give you all the info I have."

Creed wasn't going to be happy he had to sit out, at least I could shoot the one who was responsible for it. Heading back to my wing Creed was passed out in the corner of the couch again. I was really damn grateful for that. Less I had to explain to him.

A long sleeve went on me first then the fucking vest, bulletproof, then another shirt. we all had our own style of pants we wore. I preferred pants that were like running leggings, but thicker, to help prevent being slashed with a knife. Checking weapons I pulled a case from under the bed. Inside was a few handguns, ammo and loaded clips. Pull out another case, this one had knives of all sizes and shapes.

Strapping holders onto my thighs and around my bad arm, I tucked a few different styled knives in them.

"Alexi?"

Oh for fuck sakes.

"Yes, Creed?"

"My handgun, Take it, it has less of a chance to jam than yours."

"Alright."

"Under your bed, near the foot of the bed on my side."

It wasn't hard to find. Pulling the case out, I opened it, It was loaded, right beside it was his dog tags from when he was a soldier. Snagging them, I put them around my neck and tucked them under the long sleeve and against my skin.

Strapping his handgun around my hips was odd, but I knew it made him feel better. So I did it anyway. Grabbing a few more of his clips I tucked them in the holder as well. Turning around Creed was standing in the doorway. He was no doubt in pain but he looked me up and down as he leaned against the door frame.

"Vested?"

"Yes, Maddox demanded it.''

"Good. Go and kick-ass, Come back in one piece."

"Always."

"Don't forget to wear your boots, Shoes are a no-go Alexi."

"Yes Sir yes, Go lay down. I'll be back soon."

Snagging my boots on the way back to Maddox, I put them on. I could feel the cold metal against my skin- Creed's dog tags- It was like he was with me, but he was safe in my bed. I gave my head a quick shake.

This was about getting even, not fighting for his honour or whatever lovers did.